Kettle Creek Smallmouth Bass

The morning turned out to be a little chilly and windy but the fish were at least somewhat willing. I managed to land 7 smallmouth bass and my partner in crime landed one. Three fish were in the 14-15 inch range while all the others were around 12-13 inches. The smallmouth were in a fairly neutral mood today probably due to the colder than normal weather the past few days. We missed close to as many fish as we landed. I was able to get a visual on several of the fish as they hit our baits. Most just held the bait in their mouth while moving off with it rather than inhaling it.

Pattern
Most fish were caught in 5 plus feet of water. Most around large submerged rock boulders and some came from submerged wood.

Baits
I tried a soft plastic jerkbait for some time. I did get several followers but no takers. I switched over to a Yum Dinger. The most successful size by far was the 4" Dinger. We tried fishing the baits with a small splitshot but that seemed to turn the fish off. We ended up fishing the bait texposed with no wait.

Water Conditions
Very clear. Water level about normal for this time of year. Based on the cold weather, the recent rains, and the fishes mood the water was certainly colder than normal for this time of year but exact temp is not known.

Weather Conditions
Sunny with some clouds. Very windy with air temps in the mid 60's most of the day

Time of Day
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Cold water and a light bite on the Little Juniate River, Tyrone

The wind was blowing and the water was C.O.L.D on the Little Juniata River this weekend. Initially I found the hits to be very few and far between. Fighting the wind and the huge bow in my line was a chore in and of itself. I finally developed a good casting strategy and found a great spot to fish. Once I located a "honey hole" the bites came on almost every cast however the bite was so light that I missed and lost more fish than I caught. I managed to land 6 smallmouth in about 3 hours of fishing. All were between 12 and 13 inches.

Pattern
I found fish in about 4 feet of water holding in a current break created by a mid stream bridge piling combined with a very distinct "shelf" running parallel to it. Given the cold water and colder than usual air temps, I believe the fish were holding in this area due to the fact that it was receiving some very nice direct sunlight.

Baits
Yes, once again I went with my time tested YUM Dingers in the 5 inch variety. As usual the pumpkin and chartreuse color seemed to attract the most attention. I was having a lot of trouble with missed fish and fish that came unbuttoned. Quite honestly I have never experienced this level of difficulty hooking up in the past. I went to a circle hook and "wacky" rigged the bait. This seemed to help.

Water Conditions
Due to recent rains and colder than usual air temps the water was chilly. Exact temp not known. Water was murky. Visibility 2 feet or less.

Weather Conditions
Air temps in the low 60's. Mostly sunny with very few clouds. Very windy!

Time of Day
2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

A big day of smallmouth Juniata River, Lewistown

My son and I headed out to the Juniate River today to test our gear and some new baits. In 3 hours of fishing we landed 11 smallmouth bass included this 18.5 inch beast. Yes folks it was measured by my de-liar. Most fish were in the 14-15 inch ranged. My son lost a fish just as big as the one pictured above at then end of a hard fought battle. The fish came unbuttoned just 1 foot from the boat. The consolation prize for my son was that he out fished me 6-5. Typically, when he out fishes me, I send him for a little swim when he's not looking. Today the water as a little on the cold side and there was a little wind chill so I cut him a break....this time!

Pattern
We fished mid river locations around large boulders and current breaks. Most fish came in 5 feet of water. We also picked up a couple of fish in deep water areas around bridge pilings.

Baits
We used both Yum Dingers and Baby Blue Eye's stone cats. Yum dinger were split shot rigged either texposed or nose hooked. We basically just drifted the baits with the current and made sure there was enough weight to keep contact with the bottom. Baby Blue Eye's were fished with a slow retrieve "ticking" the bait of the bottom

Water Conditions
Visibility 2.5 feet. Water level below average for this time of year. Water temps were probably in the high 50's.

Weather Conditions
Sunny with some clouds. Air temps around 60 degrees.

Time of Day
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

First trip of the year Juniata River, Lewistown PA

Well, after a string of weekends full of work, I finally got a chance to chase some smallies. A friend and I spent a few hours on the Juniate River near the Lewistown area trying to find a pattern. We had several hits but only managed two smallmouth bass. The largest was a 17 incher caught near some tree tops. Overall it was a beautiful but frustrating day.

Pattern
We tried current breaks, deep holes, and chunk rock. None bore fruit. The areas that yielded some hits and two fish were all associated with wood. We fished tight to fallen tree tops and washed out blow downs located on or creating current breaks. Again, not many fish but that is where we got the strikes.

Baits
We tried a variety of swim baits, tub baits, Soft jerkbaits with no luck. All fish and strikes came on a 3" Yum Dinger.

Water conditions
Water levels where up due to recent rains. Water clarity was less than 2 feet of visibility. Specific water temps are not known but due to rains things had cooled down.


Weather Conditions
Sunny, air temps around 70 degrees.

PFBC 2006 Press Release - Winter Commission Meeting Wrap-up

PFBC 2006 Press Release - Winter Commission Meeting Wrap-up: "The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking angler input of a set of proposals designed at enhancing fishing opportunities for northern pike, pickerel and muskellunge. The move to solicit public comment on modifying current regulations came at the PFBC’s winter meeting January 23-24 in Harrisburg."